THE year 2002 will no doubt be marked as a seminal time in Everton’s history.

Walter Smith was sacked as manager and replaced by David Moyes, the Blues survived relegation and will now march out at Wembley on May 30.

But deep within the club, at the very core of its community, another landmark appointment was made, one which would quietly make an impact equal to that of Moyes.

Mo Marley made the transition from player to manager of Everton Ladies and at the end of her seventh season in charge this month, the Ladies are now a force not only in this country but in Europe too.

Arsenal are the super power on the women’s scene but for the Blues to have lost out on the title by goal difference this campaign tells its own story.

Not only have Marley and Moyes simultaneously rejuvenated the Goodison Park club, but they too can be said to have adhered to the Everton’s way of thinking - something of which Mo is particularly proud.

“Of course it is a season to be proud of, it was fab the way we ended up on the same number of points as Arsenal,” said Mo.

“ The only difference between the two sides was goals for, against some of the smaller clubs they would score maybe 10 goals but we could only score five.

“I started playing for them in the 1987-88 season when we were called Leasowe Pacific. We changed to Everton Ladies in 1993.

“ I think the club has always had the same principles and when a player comes into the club they know what is expected of them.

“We always play in the right way, play quality football, passing and moving.

“It has taken me nine or 10 years to come through the coaching system and to get the levels required and the knowledge.

“When I was coming to the end of my international career they targeted a few of the older players to go on the FA Women’s National mentoring programme. I was involved with coaching the England Under-19s when I was still playing for Everton and England.

“My husband, Keith, was Everton manager at the time, so when I got the right qualifications, I sacked him!” she joked.

“I was just more qualified than him and at that time in a better position to move the club forward in 2002.”

“We have a responsibility as women footballers to make the game as attractive as we can. I do not watch Sunday league football if it is just kick and hoof.

“I think we are making the game attractive with the way we play and though there are times when the points are more important than the performance. But if we play in the right way then the game will become appealing for people who enjoy football. I enjoy football, regardless of what it is and just want to watch good play.

“From there a market is created for it and then comes in the professional organisation that can help build it up. We only had 10 days to promote the game against Arsenal but nearly got 2,500 fans, which was fantastic.

“People want to see skill, flair, it is an art and our responsibility is to play in a certain way to captivate the audience and make it a full day of entertainment.”

Although Marley recognises there is a common spirit running through the club from first team to the Ladies, she understands more than most that managers must be allowed to imprint their own identity.

She added: “We both do it in our own way but we do have a really good relationship with David. He has always been really supportive and when we reached the FA Cup final he sent us a really nice letter. Although I can’t account for David, I would think it fair to say that like every other team, there just is not the time to go out of your way to help anyone else out.

“When I was doing my A-License Alan Irvine was still at the club and was one of my tutors, he was brilliant to me.

“Everton Ladies do not have the same resources as Arsenal for example so we have to attract the players who are willing to roll up their sleeves and be part of the club. Players who want to better themselves, have a desire and passion which overrides anything else.”

“The senior players from the male first team are really knowledgeable about how we are doing, they are always recommending players to me and giving our contact details to young and up and coming players. That is the good networking we have at the club, they are passionate about the club.”

Hard work is down to Mo - Fara

EVERTON Ladies’ star Fara Williams has heaped praise on her manager Mo Marley after being named Player of the Season.

The Blues’ captain marvel scooped the honour at the club’s awards ceremony at St George’s Hall on Monday night.

On receiving the accolade England international Williams was quick to credit her boss with the consistent form that has seen her become one of the country’s finest players.

Fara said: “It means a lot to win the award this year, especially after we have had such a great season. I have been here five seasons now and it gets better and better, the teams are getting stronger and I think that is down to Mo. She works hard for Everton Ladies and gets no award for doing it.

“The team is improving every year and getting closer to winning the league, the season before I signed the team were fighting relegation - there has been a massive improvement.

“Money was not an issue coming here, it was all about improving and becoming a better player - there is no better coach than Mo.

“Overall we were the better team this season, we conceded the least amount of goals but perhaps our strikers did not get as many as last season and so we had to rely on the midfield a bit more.

“But we will take this experience into next year.

“It was great to be invited to the club’s awards ceremony on Monday night and Phil Neville came over to a few of us at our table and said ‘well done’.